Shillong, October 11: A technical team from the Union Ministry of Coal has inspected coal-bearing areas in East Jaintia Hills and the Khasi Hills to assess whether Meghalaya’s long-suspended coal mining sector can be revived through scientific, safe and environmentally sustainable practices. The inspection brings renewed focus on the state government’s efforts to find a way to restart mining while addressing the concerns of coal-dependent families and meeting the legal, environmental and safety requirements that have kept the sector under restrictions.
The team, accompanied by officials of the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) and Meghalaya’s Directorate of Mineral Resources, visited the mining areas last week as part of ongoing consultations between the Centre and the state government to explore the feasibility of resuming operations.
The inspection follows Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s meeting with Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy in New Delhi on July 7, during which he raised the concerns of families dependent on coal mining for their livelihoods. The state government has since been exploring possible avenues for reviving the sector without compromising environmental safeguards, mine-safety standards and the applicable legal and regulatory framework.
During the visit, the technical team examined mining methods practised in the areas and assessed the feasibility of resuming operations. Subsequent discussions with senior state government officials focused on the challenges faced by local miners, the technical and environmental requirements for scientific mining, safety standards and the need to develop methods suited to Meghalaya’s geology and landholding patterns.
“Our government is committed to exploring viable options to restart coal mining in Meghalaya, balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility. By working together with the Ministry of Coal and local miners, we can develop a framework that ensures sustainable, safe and scientific mining operations,” Sangma said.
The proposed revival of coal mining remains a complex challenge for Meghalaya, where traditional mining practices, local livelihood concerns and environmental protection have long been at the centre of the debate. Any move towards reopening will require a framework that addresses the technical challenges of extraction while ensuring compliance with the legal provisions and safeguards governing mining.
Further assessments and follow-up meetings are expected in the coming weeks, with the Directorate of Mineral Resources coordinating with the Union Ministry of Coal and other concerned departments to examine the way forward.
